Under the proposed 2012 budget, TRICARE prescriptions filled on base will remain free, but, co-pays for medications purchased at retail pharmacies will increase. DoD is hoping that the increased co-pays will encourage beneficiaries to use TRICARE's mail-order "home delivery" option.

If passed the current $3 co-pay for generics at retail outlets will increase to $5 and the $9 co-pays for brand name drugs will climb to $12. "Tier 3" (non-formulary brand) drugs, which currently cost beneficiaries a $22 co-pay will be raised to $25 for both mail order and retail. In addition, the plan would remove the $3 charge for mail order generic drugs. The new co-pays could save the DoD $2.6 billion over five years.